U.S. patent application number 11/857521 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for wireless audio gateway headset.
This patent application is currently assigned to CALLPOD INC.. Invention is credited to Darren S. Guccione, Craig B. Lurey.
Application Number | 20090073950 11/857521 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40454367 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090073950 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guccione; Darren S. ; et
al. |
March 19, 2009 |
Wireless Audio Gateway Headset
Abstract
A wireless, multi-function audio gateway device provides
communication between the headset and at least one audio gateway.
The headset includes a housing having at least one multifunction
button, and a first and a second microphone. The first microphone
is located closer to a user's mouth than the second microphone. The
headset also includes a flexible ear bud, a speaker, a volume
control button, a rechargeable battery, a USB port, a detachable
ear wrap, and a programmable baseband IC. The programmable baseband
IC is configured for wireless communications to allow interfacing
between the at least one audio gateway and the wireless headset.
Methods for improved noise suppression, pairing and communicating
with multiple audio gateways simultaneously, and allowing
headset-to-headset communications between two wireless, multiple
audio gateway headsets are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Guccione; Darren S.;
(Wheaton, IL) ; Lurey; Craig B.; (El Dorado Hills,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC;Intellectual Property Department
2 North LaSalle, Suite 1300
Chicago
IL
60602
US
|
Assignee: |
CALLPOD INC.
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
40454367 |
Appl. No.: |
11/857521 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/341 ;
370/254; 381/375; 381/94.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 1/105 20130101;
H04M 1/05 20130101; H04R 1/1016 20130101; H04R 1/1058 20130101;
H04M 1/6066 20130101; H04R 1/1041 20130101; H04R 2201/109 20130101;
H04R 2420/07 20130101; H04R 2201/107 20130101; H04R 1/1025
20130101; H04R 1/1066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/341 ;
370/254; 381/375; 381/94.2 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 7/20 20060101
H04Q007/20; H04B 15/00 20060101 H04B015/00; H04R 25/00 20060101
H04R025/00; H04L 12/28 20060101 H04L012/28 |
Claims
1. A wireless, multiple audio gateway headset for providing
communication between the headset and at least one audio gateway,
the headset comprising: a housing, the housing having at least one
multifunction button, a first and a second microphone, wherein the
first microphone is located closer to a user's mouth than the
second microphone, a flexible ear bud, a speaker, a volume control
button, a rechargeable battery, and a USB port; a detachable ear
wrap; and a programmable baseband IC, wherein the programmable
baseband IC is configured for wireless communications for
interfacing between the at least one audio gateway and the wireless
headset, and wherein an audio sample is processed in approximately
2 milliseconds.
2. The wireless, multiple audio gateway headset for providing
communication between the headset and at least one audio gateway of
claim 1, wherein the headset has a range of 300 feet.
3. The wireless, multiple audio gateway headset for providing
communication between the headset and at least one audio gateway of
claim 1, wherein the headset answers, mutes, and terminates
transmissions.
4. The wireless, multiple audio gateway headset for providing
communication between the headset and at least one audio gateway of
claim 1, wherein the first and the second microphones are
approximately 11 mm apart.
5. The wireless, multiple audio gateway headset for providing
communication between the headset and at least one audio gateway of
claim 1, wherein the first microphone is located closer to an audio
source than the second microphone.
6. The wireless, multiple audio gateway headset for providing
communication between the headset and at least one audio gateway of
claim 1, wherein the headset includes dual microphone noise
suppression.
7. A method for suppressing background noise for a wireless,
multiple audio gateway device, the method comprising the steps of:
collecting first analog audio signals from a first microphone;
collecting second analog audio signals from a second microphone;
filtering the first analog audio signals from the first microphone
through a first bandpass filter to remove non-speech audio;
filtering the second analog audio signals from the second
microphone through a second bandpass filter to remove non-speech
audio; converting the first and second analog audio signals to
first and second digital signals; aligning the first and second
digital signals; exploiting the time difference between the digital
audio signals from the first microphone and the digital audio
signals from the second microphone to remove background noise and
undesired speakers; eliminating an undesired frequency spectrum;
and adding the first and the second digital signals to create a
final enhanced output.
8. The method for suppressing background noise for a wireless,
multiple audio gateway device of claim 7, the method further
comprising the step of passing the digital signals through a
bandpass filter.
9. The method for suppressing background noise for a wireless,
multiple audio gateway device of claim 7, wherein the first and the
second microphones are separated by approximately 11
millimeters.
10. The method for suppressing background noise for a wireless,
multiple audio gateway device of claim 7, wherein the first
microphone is closer to an audio source than the second
microphone.
11. A method for communicating with multiple audio gateways
simultaneously for a wireless, multiple audio gateway device, the
method comprising the steps of: registering a first hands free
service on a first channel on the device; pairing a first audio
gateway with the device on the first channel; unregistering the
first service on the first channel; registering a second service on
a second channel; pairing a second audio gateway with the device on
the second channel; and activating the first channel; and
activating the second channel.
12. The method for communicating with multiple audio gateways
simultaneously for a wireless, multiple audio gateway device of
claim 11, further comprising the step of controlling a call with a
multifunction button located on the device.
13. The method for communicating with multiple audio gateways
simultaneously for a wireless, multiple audio gateway device of
claim 11, wherein the device is paired with a plurality of audio
gateways forming a plurality of audio gateway connections.
14. The method for communicating with multiple audio gateways
simultaneously for a wireless, multiple audio gateway device of
claim 11, wherein the device is paired with up to at least seven
(7) audio gateways forming the up to at least seven (7) audio
gateway connections.
15. The method for communicating with multiple audio gateways
simultaneously for a wireless, multiple audio gateway device of
claim 13, wherein at least two of the paired audio gateways
connections are active and wherein a user switches between the at
least two active audio gateways.
16. The method for communicating with multiple audio gateways
simultaneously for a wireless, multiple audio gateway device of
claim 15, wherein a user transfers between the at least two active
audio gateways without inactivating one of the at least two
gateways.
17. The method for communicating with multiple audio gateways
simultaneously for a wireless, multiple audio gateway device of
claim 16 wherein the device automatically returns to a first active
audio gateway connection when a second active audio gateway
connection becomes inactive.
18. The method for communicating with multiple audio gateways
simultaneously for a wireless, multiple audio gateway device of
claim 11, wherein the device operates in a range over 300 feet.
19. The method for communicating with multiple audio gateways
simultaneously for a wireless, multiple audio gateway device of
claim 15 wherein neither a first active audio gateway connection
nor a second active audio gateway connection is aware of the
other.
20. The method for communicating with multiple audio gateways
simultaneously for a wireless, multiple audio gateway device of
claim 15 wherein the paired audio gateway connections cause no
interference with each other.
21. A method for allowing headset-to-headset communications between
two wireless, multiple audio gateway devices, the method
comprising: converting a first device to an audio gateway; having a
second device in a normal mode; placing the second device in a
discoverable state; establishing a connection between the first
device and the second device by having the second device seek out
the first device.
22. The method for allowing headset-to-headset communications
between two wireless, multiple audio gateway devices of claim 21,
wherein the headset-to-headset communication is in full-duplex.
23. The method for allowing headset-to-headset communications
between two wireless, multiple audio gateway devices of claim 21,
wherein the device in headset-to-headset communication mode has a
range of at least 250,000 square feet.
24. The method for allowing headset-to-headset communications
between two wireless, multiple audio gateway devices of claim 21
wherein the device which is in the discoverable mode retains the
normal mode ability.
25. The method for allowing headset-to-headset communications
between two wireless, multiple audio gateway devices of claim 21,
wherein the one or both of the first device and the second device
control the connection.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a wireless headset.
More particularly, the present invention pertains to a wireless
headset compatible with multiple wireless communications-enabled
devices.
[0002] With the advent of wireless communications technology,
headsets, particularly wireless headsets, are gaining in
popularity. However, by the nature of the physical location of a
typical wireless headset on a person's ear, the headset is always
susceptible to background noise. It is well known by the layman
that the closer a microphone is to a user's mouth, the clearer the
speech will be heard on the other end. As the distance between the
mouth and the headset grows, the effects of background noise become
more and more apparent, and can even overtake the magnitude of the
sound waves coming from the speaker's mouth.
[0003] Most headsets are designed with boom microphones that
physically sit in front of the user's mouth, or directional
plastics that protrude toward the person's mouth in an attempt to
pick up the user's speech and compensate for the background noise
interference. In the latter case, there has been some success,
albeit limited, in creating a headset which is able to pick up the
speaker's voice while having a physical protrusion toward the
mouth. However, the problem still exists where a user's voice is
muffled by background interference.
[0004] In addition, headsets are normally fashioned for pairing
with only one wireless communications-enabled audio-gateway.
However, a growing number of headset users have multiple audio
gateway devices. For example, users have several audio gateways
including mobile phones, landlines, personal digital assistants,
VoIP and wireless communications-enabled music players. To date,
there is no easy, efficient way of connecting all these devices
with one headset at once and switching between the devices as
necessary.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an enhanced wireless
headset. Desirably, such a headset can create an environment in
which the sound coming from the speaker's voice is optimized while
sound coming from any other location is suppressed without muffling
effects or distortion of the speaker's voice.
[0006] In addition, it is also desirable to keep its computational
complexity to a minimum so that it is most conducive for subsequent
hardware implementation, and for extending the battery life of the
headset. Lastly, it is desirable to keep the overall time delay of
the audio processing pipeline to a minimum and greatly enhance the
speech quality even in the presence of multiple, very strong
background interferences without having detrimental effects on the
speaker.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A wireless, multi-function audio gateway device, such as a
headset for providing communication between the headset and at
least one audio gateway is disclosed. The headset comprising a
housing having at least one multifunction button, a first and a
second microphone. The first microphone is located closer to a
user's mouth than the second microphone. The headset includes a
flexible ear bud, a speaker, a volume control button, a
rechargeable battery, a USB port, a detachable ear wrap, and a
programmable baseband IC. The programmable baseband IC is
configured for wireless communications to allow interfacing between
the up to at least seven audio gateways and the wireless
headset.
[0008] In addition, the headset is designed for enhanced noise
suppression, pairing with multiple audio gateways simultaneously,
and for allowing headset-to-headset communications between two
wireless, multiple audio gateway headsets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The benefits and advantages of the present invention will
become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a present embodiment of the
wireless audio gateway;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the wireless audio gateway,
showing the ear bud and ear wrap of the present embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing a plug in a port of an
embodiment of the wireless audio gateway;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the ear wrap of the wireless
audio gateway;
[0014] FIG. 5A-5D are isometric views of the wireless audio gateway
illustrating the changing of the ear wrap;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electrical and software
components of the wireless audio gateway;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic illustrating a portion of
FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is an electrical schematic illustrating a portion of
FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter
be described a presently preferred embodiment with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
[0019] It should be further understood that the title of this
section of this specification, namely, "Detailed Description Of The
Invention", relates to a requirement of the United States Patent
Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the
subject matter disclosed herein.
[0020] The wireless audio gateway headset 10 is a Bluetooth.RTM.
compatible, Class-1 headset that allows a user to make and receive
calls from a Bluetooth.RTM.-enabled phone or computer. Referring
now to the figures, the outer hardware of the headset 10 is
composed of a power/volume control button 16, red and blue LED
lights 18, 19 respectively, a multifunction button 20, dual
microphones an anterior microphone 22 and a posterior microphone
237 a speaker 24, a charging port/USB port 26, an ear bud 287 and a
detachable ear wrap 30.
[0021] Turning in particular to FIGS. 1-3, FIG. 1 shows the headset
10 configured for placement on the right ear. The power/volume
control button 16 serves both a power function and volume control
function. The button 16 in the present embodiment is located on the
posterior P aspect of the housing 12. Pushing the power button 16
"in" powers the headset 10 up, while toggling the power button 16
operates the volume control.
[0022] Red/blue LEDs 18, 19 are located on the lateral L aspect of
the headset 10 housing 12, posterior to the anterior and posterior
microphones 22, 23. The LEDs 18, 19 in the present embodiment flash
red and blue during power cycling and pairing; however, different
colors and configurations are contemplated.
[0023] A multifunction button 20 is located in the center, lateral
aspect of the housing 12. The multifunction button 20 opens and
closes an audio channel, mutes an audio channel, and switches
between two active audio channels. Other functions may also be
controlled by the multifunction button 20.
[0024] The dual microphones, anterior microphone 22 and posterior
microphone 23, are positioned within the housing 12 such that when
a user wears the headset, the anterior microphone 22, configured
for the human voice, is located anterior to the posterior
microphone 23, relative to the human body. The posterior microphone
93 is positioned posterior to the anterior microphone 22 and is
configured for background sounds. The anterior A and posterior P
directions are illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 using directional arrows.
Small openings in the housing 12 allow sound to pass through the
housing 12 into the microphones 22, 23. The dual microphones 22, 23
are preferably positioned such that the anterior microphone 22 is
closer to the user's mouth than the posterior microphone 23.
[0025] The headset 10 is powered by an internal battery, such as a
lithium-ion rechargeable battery. In a present configuration, the
red indicator light or red LED 18 will illuminate during charging.
When charging is complete, the red LED 18 will turn off. The full
performance of a new battery is achieved only after two or three
complete charge and discharge cycles.
[0026] If the battery becomes low on power while the headset is in
use, a short beep will be heard approximately every 20 seconds.
Charging components are available to allow charging via a USB port
on a computer, AC/DC wall adapter or car charger.
[0027] The soft, flexible ear bud 28 and the detachable, adjustable
ear wrap 30 allow for comfortable placement of the headset 10 in
either the right or the left ear. The ear bud 28 nests in the
user's ear snugly. The ear wrap 30 is detachable and can be
converted to be used for either ear, as shown in FIGS. 4 and
5a-d.
[0028] The headset 10 allows the user to talk on the phone or over
a computer (audio gateway) wirelessly, with minimal background
interference. In addition, the headset 10 allows for one headset 10
to be connected to up to seven (7) different wireless
communications-enabled audio gateways, including another headset
10, wherein all connections have enhanced audio and noise
suppression.
[0029] While the headset 10 is configured for use with
Bluetooth.RTM. communications protocol, it is contemplated that the
headset 10 can and will be configured for use with other wireless
communications protocols, including, but not limited to WiFi,
Zigbee, Wibree or other future protocols that support audio
communications.
[0030] Features of the headset 10 include noise mitigation,
multiple audio gateway handling, and headset-to-headset
communications.
[0031] The headset 10 utilizes a noise mitigation procedure, which
shall herein be referred to as Dual-Microphone Noise Suppression.
Dual-Microphone Noise Suppression automatically turns on during a
call and significantly reduces background noise to optimize and
enhance the sound quality of the conversation. The microphone
configuration and software implementation create an environment in
which the sound coming from the speaker's voice is optimized while
sound coming from any other location is suppressed. This is carried
out without muffling effects or distortion of the speaker's voice.
In a present headset 10, this is accomplished using an 11 mm
separation between microphones, allowing hardware to be of a small
form factor.
[0032] The headset 10 also has multiple audio gateway handling
capability. The headset 10 can pair with up to at least seven (7)
wireless communications-enabled devices at once, two (2) of which
can be active simultaneously. The linked devices, both active and
inactive connections, are not aware of each other and do not
interfere with each other's links. Multiple audio gateway ability
allows for a seamless transition between devices with minimal time
lag between switching.
[0033] The headset 10 includes headset-to-headset communication
capability. Two headsets 10 are used. A first headset 10 can be
converted to an audio gateway during its power up phase. A second
headset 10 can then establish a link with the first headset 10 that
has been converted to an audio gateway ("converted headset"). Both
the headset and the converted headset have the ability to end the
link, mute the link, and transition between calls when paired with
other wireless communications enabled devices.
[0034] Typical wireless communications enabled devices transmit up
to 30 feet. However, because the headset 10 is a Class-1 wireless
communications enabled device, the headset has an operating range
of up to three hundred twenty-eight (328) feet when connected to
another Class-1 device, which makes it ideal for small office,
field and home environments.
[0035] The block diagram of FIG. 6 and the electrical circuitry of
FIGS. 7-8 illustrate how the headset 10 works. The present
embodiment has two sources of power: an internal, rechargeable
lithium-ion battery supply 72 and an external supply via a 5V mini
USB port 26. A battery charger circuit 66 for the internal battery
78 is also shown.
[0036] The analog circuitry for the anterior and posterior
microphones 22, 23 is separated from the digital circuitry. As is
known in the art, good design practice includes separating digital
and analog circuits, as the analog signals may infect the digital
signals. Thus, two voltage regulators, analog voltage regulator 54
and digital voltage regulator 64 are used to regulate the voltage
to approximately 3.3V each. Analog voltage regulator 54 is used to
regulate power for the analog inputs from the dual microphones 22,
23 and the digital voltage regulator 64 is used to control voltage
for the digital components of the circuit. No matter the battery
level, there is a constant voltage on the power lines and the
microphones 22, 23.
[0037] Dual microphone noise suppression is a speech
pre-conditioning section aimed at suppressing all frequencies that
are not of the immediate speaker. In other words, dual microphone
noise suppression removes all background noises, including other
people's voices or audio, if the voice or audio is not that of the
headset 10 user. By the nature of the physical location of a
headset on a person's ear, the headset is always susceptible to
background noise. Noise suppression is accomplished by using band
pass filters, followed by alignment of the inputs, and noise
cancellation. In other words, an audio delay algorithm is used that
can exploit the time difference between the audio signals from the
two microphones 22, 23 and an adaptive noise cancellation algorithm
can constructively combine audio signals from the two microphones
22, 23 while suppressing interfering background noise.
[0038] As can be seen in FIG. 6 part A and FIG. 7, the schematic of
part A, the analog signals from the dual microphones 22, 23, each
pass through external band-pass filters 52. The band-pass filters
52 remove non-speech audio. For examples let X1 and X2 represent
the buffer of audio samples coming from the anterior 22 and
posterior 23 microphones, respectively. Each buffer is run through
a real-time band-pass filter 52 to remove frequencies below and
above the voice channel.
[0039] This is input into the programmable baseband IC 50. Within
the IC 50 there is an analog to digital conversion of the audio
signal. The DSP work (Digital Signal Processing) is done using the
digital audio. The actual audio used is PCM, Pulse Code Modulated,
a standard method of digitally encoding audio.
[0040] During the alignment phase, based on the separation of
microphones 22, 23 on the headset and the sample rate of the
incoming digital audio data, the audio samples coming into each
microphone 22, 23 can be time-aligned. There is an 11 mm distance
between the microphones 22, 23; thus, sound from the anterior
microphone 22 can be differentiated from and enhanced compared to
background noise received by posterior microphone 23.
[0041] X1 and X2 represent the buffer of audio samples coming from
the anterior and posterior microphones 22, 23, respectively.
Samples are shifted into these buffers at a sample rate, typically
8 ksamples/sec.
[0042] Let W represent a buffer of filter coefficients of length L.
As each sample is shifted into the buffers X1 and X2, the X1 buffer
is multiplied and accumulated (MAC) against the buffer of filter
coefficients W, stored as value r1. Based on the separation between
the microphones, a sample delay is chosen to align the two input
buffers from X2, in which a value r2 is chosen at each sample
period. r1 and r2 represent the aligned samples at each sample
period. By aligning the samples in such a manner, the next
processing block (beamformer) is able to eliminate unwanted
background noise.
[0043] In the "beamformer" phase, differentiation and enhancement
occurs based in part on the separation of the anterior and
posterior microphones 22, 23. The posterior microphone 23 is place
further away from the user's voice than the anterior microphone 22.
Because the speed of sound in the air is a known factor, if
anterior microphone 22 is placed closer to a user's mouth, the
sound from the user's voice will be received by the anterior
microphone 22 first before being received by the posterior
microphone 23. In the same manner, background noise from behind and
the side of the user should be received by the posterior microphone
23 first, then the anterior microphone 22.
[0044] The IC 50 is designed/programmed for a desired voice/audio
frequency spectrum and the time lapse between sounds, such that
unwanted frequencies (outside of voice frequencies) coming from the
posterior microphone 23 and/or the anterior microphone 22 can be
isolated and eliminated. Analog and digital band pass filters are
used--a filter programmed in software and encoded within IC 50, and
also hardwired, analog band-pass filters for each microphone 22,
23, as illustrated in FIG. 7 at 52. Unwanted frequencies are
subtracted from the audio stream and canceled, forming a "beam" of
enhanced audio.
[0045] During the beamformer phase, r1 and r2 represent the aligned
audio sample buffers of the anterior and posterior microphones 22,
23, respectively, and W1 and W2 represent two buffers of filter
coefficients of length N. As newly aligned samples are shifted into
r1 and r2, the buffers are multiplied and accumulated (MAC) against
W1 and W2, respectively. The result of this filter operation
produces 2 samples, y1 and y2. y1 and y2 are added together to
create the final output sample Y. Y is clipped to prevent overflow.
W1 and W2 are adaptive filter coefficients. After each sample Y is
generated, W1 and W2 buffers are updated based on the previous
state of the input buffers.
[0046] The audio is digitally processed, for a Class 2 power
rating, a range of approximately 30 feet. With an external RF power
amplifier 76, the RF can be modulated and the power rating can be
increased such that the headset 10 becomes a Class 1 power rated
device, having a range of approximately 300 feet.
[0047] Particular attention should be paid to the low algorithmic
complexity and low time delay. Audio DSP occurs in approximately 2
ms. A crystal oscillator, or Clock 21, provides the clock for the
circuit, in the present embodiment operating at 6 mHz.
[0048] Powering the headset 10 occurs by the power from the 5V USB
26 or the power from the battery 78. When the 5V USB 26 is
connected to a computer, 5V is present from the computer to power
the headset 10 circuit; thus, the battery 78 is not needed. The
entire circuit is provided with power from the external 5V USB 26
supply rather than the internal battery 78. When the external 5V
supply is not present, the circuit relies on the battery 78. In
this manner the battery 78 can be charged without draining.
[0049] FIG. 8 shows a schematic of part B of FIG. 6, the antenna, a
band pass filter 72, a switch 74 for transmission and receiving,
and an amplifier 76 to amplify the signal sent to the audio
gateway.
[0050] From the preceding, it will be appreciated that multiple
audio gateways can be established. The headset 10 can be paired
simultaneously with up to at least seven (7) Bluetooth.RTM. or
wireless communications-enabled devices at once, with at least two
wireless communications-enabled devices having active channels.
[0051] The headset 10 can store pairing information with at least
seven devices without having to re-pair. At least two of those
devices may be active simultaneously to the headset 10. For
instance, a user can connect to a cell phone and to a computer for
accepting Skype.RTM. calls.
[0052] The multiple audio gateways are established by the headset
10 establishing one hands free service on one channel. A first
audio gateway pairs with the headset 10 on a first channel and a
first hands free connection is established. Thereafter, the headset
10 unregisters the service on the first channel and registers a
second service on a second channel so that a second audio gateway
can establish a hands free connection. In this manner, at least 7
audio gateways may be paired with the headset 10.
[0053] When one of the paired audio gateways (AG) requests an audio
link, the headset 10 can respond and immediately turn
on/open/activate the paired channel without delay by pressing the
multi-function button 20. Two of the seven paired audio gateways
may be connected with the headset 10 simultaneously and a user can
bounce between the two active gateways seamlessly. Neither audio
gateways have knowledge of the other.
[0054] When connected to two devices, the headset 10 is able to
control call handling through the multifunction button 20. For
example, if the headset 10 is connected to a call on a cell phone
and a call comes in from a Skype.RTM. account the call can be
answered by pressing the multifunction button 20. After the
Skype.RTM. call has ended, the headset 10 will automatically return
to the mobile phone call.
[0055] Headset-to-headset communications allows two people to
communicate in full duplex over 250,000 sq. ft. using the
multi-function button 20 on the headset 10. To do so, two headsets
10 are used. One headset (headset B) is reversed to act as an AG
while the other headset (headset A) remains in normal mode. Headset
A is in a discoverable state and headset B is powered off. Headset
B is then powered back on while holding the multifunction button
20. After a few moments, headset B will seek out headset A and
automatically establish the connection.
[0056] When the two headsets A, B are connected, either pasty can
speak in fail duplex at the same time with no voice cancellation.
The audio channel is opened and closed/activated and inactivated by
pressing the multifunction button 20 once; the multifunction button
20 need not be held down. Using the multifunction button 20 to open
and close the audio channel between the headsets A, B significantly
increases talk time versus having the audio channel open
continuously. Either user can open, close or mute the channel.
[0057] Headset B, which has itself been converted to an audio
gateway, can still connect to another audio gateway. When in a
headset-to-headset mode, the headset 10, which has been converted
to AG mode, can still function as a standard wireless
communications-enabled headset. Therefore, a user can be speaking
headset-to-headset, using the converted headset B, press the
multifunction button 20, then be talking through a cell phone. The
converted headset may be used as an AG on one active channel and as
a normal-mode headset 10 on another active channel and switch back
and forth between the two active channels.
[0058] When powered off and on, the converted headset B goes back
into "normal mode" which is the same as when converted to an AG
except that the headset-to-headset functionality is disabled.
[0059] To turn the headset 109 in normal mode, on, the power/volume
control button 16 is pressed until the red LED 18 illuminated the
headset 10 will play an ascending tone and the LED will flash red
and blue indicating that it is ready to pair. To turn the headset
10 off, press and hold the power/volume control button 16 until the
red LED 18 turns off. The headset 10 will play a descending tone
and then shut off.
[0060] In order to pair the headset 10 with an AG, the headset is
powered on and will first attempt to reconnect to the last phone
used (if any). If the phone is out of range or not available, the
headset 10 will automatically enter a discoverable state. A period
of time is available to pair the headset 10 with a cell phone or PC
before it enters a low power sleep mode. If the device is not
paired within the allotted time, in the present embodiment, 60
seconds, a user may push the power/volume control button 16 and the
headset 10 will enter discoverable mode for another 60 seconds.
[0061] To search for available headset 10 form a phone or computer
the appropriate option is selected from the AG and a pass code is
entered when prompted. If necessary, the phone or computer is
instructed to complete the connection with the headset 10. Pairing
the headset 10 with a particular phone and/or computer need be done
only once; afterwards, the headset 10 is selected from a menu when
it is to be used.
[0062] If the user is currently connected to a phone, in order to
pair another device, the headset 10 needs to be in discoverable
mode. The power/volume control button 16 is pressed once to enable
this feature. The blue and red LEDs 18, 19 will flash and the user
may now begin pairing the headset 10 to a second device.
[0063] The headset 10 will automatically switch between two
connected devices based on which device has requested an active
audio channel.
[0064] To disconnect a headset 10 from a current AG device, the
headset 10 is either powered off or the pairing memory is cleared.
To turn off the headset 10, the power/volume control button 16 is
pressed and held, until the red LED 18 turns off. To clear the
pairing memory of the headset 10, the multifunction button 20 is
pressed and held until the LED lights blue 19 and red 18 at the
same time. The headset 10 will then enter a discoverable state.
[0065] When powered on, the headset 10 will automatically reconnect
to the last connected phone. If the headset 10 is on, but not
connected to any devices, pressing the multifunction button 20 will
establish a connection to the last connected phone.
[0066] Once the headset 10 is connected to a phone, the phone may
be dialed as usual. The headset 10 will automatically turn on when
the call is placed. If supported by, the phone, the headset 10 may
also engage the voice-dialing feature of the cell phone.
[0067] When the headset 10 rings, an incoming call can be accepted
by pressing the multifunction button 20. If a call is already
present, the first call will be placed on hold. The multifunction
button 20 can be pressed to switch between calls, or the
multifunction button can be pressed and held to join the calls in a
conference.
[0068] While on a single call, the call can be muted and unmuted by
pressing the multifunction button 20. While on a single call, press
and hold the multifunction button to end the call.
[0069] To increase or decrease the speaker volume, the power/volume
control button 16 is toggled up or down. Note that the volume
control directions are opposite when the headset 10 is in the left
ear than when in the right ear. FIGS. 5A-D illustrate changing the
ear wrap 30 to accommodate right and left ear users. The opening of
the ear wrap 30 slides over the ear bud 28 and clips into channels
located on the ear bud 28.
[0070] In an alternate embodiment, a switch 70 is available which
can switch back and forth with the 5V USB 26 and the analog audio
to provide surround sound for the user. There exist two pins on the
5V USB 26 bus for data transfer; when plugged the headset 10 is
linked to a computer via the 5V USB port 26, 5V obtained from the
computer switches the switch 70 and the line is configured for data
transfer, enabling the passing of data to the headset 10 from the
computer to the IC 50. The user can "talk" to the IC 50 using the
5V USB 26 interface for upgrades or other information passing. As
soon as the 5V USB 26 connection is removed, the 5V disappears
because it was being provided by the computer. When the 5V
disappears, the switch 70 switches such that an analog audio-out
for a second speaker is made available, enabling the user to have
sound in stereo if desired.
[0071] All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated
herein by reference, whether or not specifically done so within the
text of this disclosure.
[0072] In the present disclosure, the words "a" or "an" are to be
taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any
reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the
singular.
[0073] From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous
modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing
from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present
invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect
to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be
inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended
claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the
claims.
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